Exorcism.

[WesleyF]

CCC 1673

“When the Church asks publicly and authoritatively in the name of Jesus Christ that a person or object be protected against the power of the Evil One and withdrawn from his dominion, it is called exorcism. Jesus performed exorcisms and from him the Church has received the power and office of exorcizing. In a simple form, exorcism is performed at the celebration of Baptism. The solemn exorcism, called “a major exorcism,” can be performed only by a priest and with the permission of the bishop. The priest must proceed with prudence, strictly observing the rules established by the Church. Exorcism is directed at the expulsion of demons or to the liberation from demonic possession through the spiritual authority which Jesus entrusted to his Church. Illness, especially psychological illness, is a very different matter; treating this is the concern of medical science. Therefore, before an exorcism is performed, it is important to ascertain that one is dealing with the presence of the Evil One, and not an illness.”

See the highlighted statement. Why is this so? Does it also mean that a lay person cannot perform a major exorcism in case of an emergency?

 

[Benadam]

Because the Church’s authority is being exercised.

 

[Snerticus]

CCC 1673

“When the Church asks publicly and authoritatively in the name of Jesus Christ that a person or object be protected against the power of the Evil One and withdrawn from his dominion, it is called exorcism. Jesus performed exorcisms and from him the Church has received the power and office of exorcizing. In a simple form, exorcism is performed at the celebration of Baptism. The solemn exorcism, called “a major exorcism,” can be performed only by a priest and with the permission of the bishop. The priest must proceed with prudence, strictly observing the rules established by the Church. Exorcism is directed at the expulsion of demons or to the liberation from demonic possession through the spiritual authority which Jesus entrusted to his Church. Illness, especially psychological illness, is a very different matter; treating this is the concern of medical science. Therefore, before an exorcism is performed, it is important to ascertain that one is dealing with the presence of the Evil One, and not an illness.”

See the highlighted statement. Why is this so? Does it also mean that a lay person cannot perform a major exorcism in case of an emergency?

I think it’s because Satan is too dangerous for an untrained individual to attempt a major exorcism. The priest must follow precise formulas and not deviate from them. A layman may be tempted to pridefully rearrange the formulas to his own liking. Also the authority placed in the priest is not possible by a layman…much like a layman may not preside at mass because he does not have the authority.

Snert

 

[DavidFilmer]

Does it also mean that a lay person cannot perform a major exorcism in case of an emergency?

Maybe you could give us an example of what might constitute an “emergency” exorcism. Even if the possessed person was near death, I am absolutely not convinced that a successful exorcism would do any good (maybe you could present a case for this). After all, the demon entered this person due to some significant spiritual weakness. If you could expel the demon, you would not rectify the weakness. And this weakness (if sufficient to allow Satan control over this person) could very well lead this person to hell.

But, even so, the testimony of actual exorcists (such as Fr. Gabriele Amorth, the chief Exorcist of Rome) tell us that actual exorcisms take weeks, or months, or years (they are not the sudden and dramatic events depicted in films). When a treatment takes a long time, it is difficult to imagine an “emergency” scenario.

Oh, congrads on your 1,000th post (at the time of my reply).

 

[UtSuShImI]

CCC 1673

“When the Church asks publicly and authoritatively in the name of Jesus Christ that a person or object be protected against the power of the Evil One and withdrawn from his dominion, it is called exorcism. Jesus performed exorcisms and from him the Church has received the power and office of exorcizing. In a simple form, exorcism is performed at the celebration of Baptism. The solemn exorcism, called “a major exorcism,” can be performed only by a priest and with the permission of the bishop. The priest must proceed with prudence, strictly observing the rules established by the Church. Exorcism is directed at the expulsion of demons or to the liberation from demonic possession through the spiritual authority which Jesus entrusted to his Church. Illness, especially psychological illness, is a very different matter; treating this is the concern of medical science. Therefore, before an exorcism is performed, it is important to ascertain that one is dealing with the presence of the Evil One, and not an illness.”

See the highlighted statement. Why is this so? Does it also mean that a lay person cannot perform a major exorcism in case of an emergency?

Exorcism can be done by anyone who has the grace of God.

 

[WesleyF]

Maybe you could give us an example of what might constitute an “emergency” exorcism.

Suppose a person who is possessed suddenly starts behaving violently, should a believer not exorcise him at that very moment instead of waiting for a priest?

**In Luke 9:49-50, we see a lay person driving out demons in the name of Jesus. **

Oh, congrads on your 1,000th post (at the time of my reply).

Thanks, 353 + 353 = 1000, for extremely large values of 353!

 

[Scoobyshme]

Exorcism can be done by anyone who has the grace of God.

“Can” and “may” are two entirely different things. Authority is a problem we Americans, as well as others in democratic, affluent countries have. We all want to be independent and do our own thing and not have anyone tell us what to do. That’s not what Christ had in mind, though. He established a Church with His authority, not the individual’s.

The difference between “power” and “authority” is that power is taken, authority is given.

Keep in mind that the original sin in the Garden of Eden was all about being independent, not having anyone tell us what to do. God told Adam and Eve not to eat of the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden. He didn’t say it was evil or poison. The fruit was good and delicious. It was healthy. It was simply because God said, “No.” Period. Eve and Adam listened to the serpent and ate the fruit so they could “be like God.” In other words, they could decide for themselves what to do and what not to do, rather than listen to and obey God. And that’s probably the sin of every American that I’ve ever met. (Including me at times.)

 

[Snerticus]

Suppose a person who is possessed suddenly starts behaving violently, should a believer not exorcise him at that very moment instead of waiting for a priest?

I think that would be the worst time for a layman to have anything to do with the exorcism. It is dangerous and either the layman would be posessed or he would get seriously inured or possibly even die.

Too risky. Only a trained exorcist should be consulted.

You should listen to Catholic Answers Live when they have the exorcist on. I think he’s going to be on later this month.

Snert

 

[WesleyF]

Too risky.

Well, so it’s only a question of risk. So the lay man does have the power to drive out demons, as is demonstrated in Luke 9:49-50.

 

[WesleyF]

Why then does the Catechism say that the solemn exorcism can be performed only by a priest and with the permission of the bishop? It should say that the solemn exorcism may be performed only by a priest and with the permission of the bishop.

 

[DavidFilmer]

Suppose a person who is possessed suddenly starts behaving violently, should a believer not exorcise him at that very moment instead of waiting for a priest?

People act violently every day in every place (just read the papers). But I think it is extremely rare for this behavior to be caused by actual demonic possession (ie, a demonic presence is overriding and controlling the person’s free will). How is the believer to know that the person is actually possessed, and not simply facing a person who has chosen to be evil? In what manner would this believer attempt to exorcise this demon?

In Luke 9:49-50, we see a lay person driving out demons in the name of Jesus.

True. And, in like manner, laypeople may baptize in emergency situations. But these functions properly belong to the Church (actually, Baptism moreso, because it is a Sacrament). But I can easily imagine a situation where a layperson would be compelled to Baptize, but I still am having a hard time imagining such a situation regarding exorcism.

And especially considering the fact that exorcism is NOT a sacrament, and thus carries no guarantees. A Baptism (if properly performed) will ALWAYS succeed, but an exorcism is really little more than a prayer - the apparent results of which are not predictable.

I believe the power of Satan is waning, because God’s Grace is so much more abundantly manifest in the lives of humans, mainly through the Baptism of so many billions of people, grafting them unto the Body of Christ. Where God’s Grace flows abundantly, Satan cannot stand. I think, in the time of Jesus, that demonic possession was far more common than it is today, and it will become even more rare in the future.

353 + 353 = 1000, for extremely large values of 353!

Urp, sorry, and kudos to Snerticus, to whom my remarks should have been addressed. And kudos to Wesley for his great humor.

 

[Snerticus]

Well, so it’s only a question of risk. So the lay man does have the power to drive out demons, as is demonstrated in Luke 9:49-50.

No, it’s not* only* a question of risk. It’s a question of obedience as well. I’m not an expert by any means, and I’m sure there are a lot more factors. Suffice it to say that if you decide to try an exorcism yourself, you’re treading dangerous waters, both physically and spiritually.

Fr. Euteneuer (an exorcist that is going to be on the Catholic Answers Live radio show on October 30th this month) once told the audience on “The World Over” that the most frightening thing that ever happened to him was at one exorcism when the demon said in a creepy voice “I hate priests”.

That should give you a clue as to who is best suited to perform exorcisms.

Snert

 

[Snerticus]

Urp, sorry, and kudos to Snerticus, to whom my remarks should have been addressed.

Thanks, I didn’t even realize it was that close to 1,000!

Snert

 

[Scoobyshme]

Why then does the Catechism say that the solemn exorcism can be performed only by a priest and with the permission of the bishop? It should say that the solemn exorcism may be performed only by a priest and with the permission of the bishop.

Could be that like the Bible, translations of the Catechism aren’t guaranteed to be accurate. The author may not have considered the discussion on this board when he penned that part of the Catechism. The Catechism is an attempt to convey the teachings of the Church. It may not be entirely accurate in every syllable printed. It’s only a guide.

 

[Spirithound]

Suppose a person who is possessed suddenly starts behaving violently, should a believer not exorcise him at that very moment instead of waiting for a priest?

**In Luke 9:49-50, we see a lay person driving out demons in the name of Jesus. **

There are many reasons that a person might suddenly appear possessed. I might suspect a seizure of some sort. The Church investigates possible candidates for exorcism first to make sure the “disturbance” is not medical/psychological in nature first.

More importantly, we always have the right, privilege, and duty to pray for others. You can most certainly pray for a person’s deliverance from whatever afflicts them. This could be considered a minor exorcism. A major exorcism, however, requires certain prayers to be followed, so unless you walk around with the Roman Ritual in your backpack (much too big to fit in your pocket ), an emergency major exorcism is out of the question on purely pragmatic grounds.

 

[Spirithound]

Could be that like the Bible, translations of the Catechism aren’t guaranteed to be accurate. The author may not have considered the discussion on this board when he penned that part of the Catechism. The Catechism is an attempt to convey the teachings of the Church. It may not be entirely accurate in every syllable printed. It’s only a guide.

Or it could be that the distinction between “can” and “may” is an artificial one that hasn’t reached the official books yet?

 

[Debra_C]

CCC 1673

“When the Church asks publicly and authoritatively in the name of Jesus Christ that a person or object be protected against the power of the Evil One and withdrawn from his dominion, it is called exorcism. Jesus performed exorcisms and from him the Church has received the power and office of exorcizing. In a simple form, exorcism is performed at the celebration of Baptism. The solemn exorcism, called “a major exorcism,” can be performed only by a priest and with the permission of the bishop. The priest must proceed with prudence, strictly observing the rules established by the Church. Exorcism is directed at the expulsion of demons or to the liberation from demonic possession through the spiritual authority which Jesus entrusted to his Church. Illness, especially psychological illness, is a very different matter; treating this is the concern of medical science. Therefore, before an exorcism is performed, it is important to ascertain that one is dealing with the presence of the Evil One, and not an illness.”

See the highlighted statement. Why is this so? Does it also mean that a lay person cannot perform a major exorcism in case of an emergency?

Any believer can say a prayer of deliverance or exorcism, or use a sacramental such as a St. Benedict’s medal or blessed salt. What is being referred to here as a major exorcism is the formal ritual spelled out by the Church and must be carried out by a priest with his bishop’s permission. It also requires that medical and psychiatric causes are ruled out. In most cases, a person wouldn’t even seek such an exorcism until less formal means of prayer and sacramentals,and medical/psychiatric treatment have already failed. It is not a trifling matter. A major exorcism is a BIG deal.

 

[Debra_C]

Maybe you could give us an example of what might constitute an “emergency” exorcism. Even if the possessed person was near death, I am absolutely not convinced that a successful exorcism would do any good (maybe you could present a case for this). After all, the demon entered this person due to some significant spiritual weakness. If you could expel the demon, you would not rectify the weakness. And this weakness (if sufficient to allow Satan control over this person) could very well lead this person to hell.

But, even so, the testimony of actual exorcists (such as Fr. Gabriele Amorth, the chief Exorcist of Rome) tell us that actual exorcisms take weeks, or months, or years (they are not the sudden and dramatic events depicted in films). When a treatment takes a long time, it is difficult to imagine an “emergency” scenario.

Oh, congrads on your 1,000th post (at the time of my reply).

It is not necessarily true that a possession only occurs through some “spiritual weakness” caused by some fault in the possessed person. Many saints have been reported to have been generally tormented by demonic forces. IN the Bible, Jacob was reported to have wrestled with God. As humans, we do not have power over Satan. I do think posessions are pretty rare, but we are dependent upon God, the angels, and the saints in our battle against the evil one. Surely none of us can claim to stand against him solely under our own power. I have often been told, and anecdotal evidence from my own experience has supported the idea, that the closer we draw to God, the more vehemently Satan tends to attack us. If our souls are already in his posession, what need would he have for any further attack against us? Though it may be true that when one is tempted into experimenting with ideas such as magic or divination it may open a clear path for posession, it does not follow that personal sin is always the cause of posession. We are talking about supernatural forces of which we have limited knowledge and understanding, much less control.

 

[WesleyF]

Could be that like the Bible, translations of the Catechism aren’t guaranteed to be accurate. The author may not have considered the discussion on this board when he penned that part of the Catechism. The Catechism is an attempt to convey the teachings of the Church. It may not be entirely accurate in every syllable printed. It’s only a guide.

Well, I take the Catechism to be God’s infallible word after the Bible. So please let me know what the original document says in Latin. I hope it’s only a translation mistake.

 

[clmowry]

Given that a “major exorcism” IS a rite that can only be performed by a priest with permision of his bishop, how could a lay person ever perform one?

Chuck